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10. The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy. {his own...: Heb. the bitterness of his soul}
A graphical illustration of man's proper individuality! “What man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man that is in him?” (1 Corinthians 2:11.) The history of the soul is only fully known and felt by the conscious subject. Each knoweth his own bitterness, deep, interior.† The most poignant sufferings often arise from causes, which cannot be told to our dearest friend.† No two of us are framed alike; and this diversity of mind and character precludes a perfect reciprocity even in the warmest glow of human sympathy. Each only knows where the heart is wrung. Each therefore must in a measure tread a solitary path, and in that path often submit to be misunderstood. Hannah, knowing her own bitterness, was rashly rebuked by him who ought to have been her comfort. (1 Samuel 1:10-13.) Gehazi harshly repelled the Shunamite through ignorance of her bitter sorrow. (2 Kings 4:27.) Job's friends, from misconception, proved to be “miserable comforters, physicians of no value.” (Job 13:4; 16:2.)
But think of Him, who made himself “a man of sorrows,” that he might be “touched with the feeling of our infirmities.” (Isaiah 53:3. Hebrews 4:15.) This is not the common love to the whole family, but an individual interest of fellowship, as if each had his whole heart, and each was loved alone. The heart's bitterness is experimentally known, and effectually relieved. (Isaiah 50:4, 5.) Man — very man as he is even on the throne of God — he is alive to all our sorrows. (Ib. 63:9.) None of his members are too low for his highest and most endearing thoughts. Into this bosom we may pour the tale of woe, which no ear besides can receive. We may not be able to comprehend it. But he will make us feel that his sympathy with sorrow is no fiction, but a precious reality. My Savior! Has my heart a bitterness, that thou dost not know, that thou dost not feel with me, and for which thou dost not provide a present cordial and support?
No less individual is the heart's joy. It lies deep within itself. A stranger doth not intermeddle with it. Michal could understand David's bravery, not his joy. She knew him as a man of war, not as a man of God. (1 Samuel 18:20. 2 Samuel 6:16.) Indeed, joy is a plant in “a garden enclosed,” a stream from “a fountain sealed.” (Song of Solomon 4:12.) It is “the secret of the LORD, which is with the righteous.” (Chapter 3:32. Psalm 25:14.) It is the indwelling “Comforter, whom the world cannot receive.” (John 14:16, 17.) Yes truly — that is the highest joy, that the man hides in his own bosom, covered from observation. There is no noise, or froth on the surface. But they are deep waters of a Divine spring. Christ takes the believer apart from the crowd, feeds him on hidden manna (Revelation 2:17), and makes him partaker of his own joy. Whatever cause there may be for mourning, there is “joy from our sorrow” (Jeremiah 31:13), in the midst of it (Romans 5:3), and as the everlasting fruit of it. (Isaiah 60:20.)
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